All-Non-Juice Team

This is the team of "good guys" to combat last blog's collection of "bad guys." These guys did it the right way, and experienced great success in a bloated world. While guys like Brady Anderson and Luis Gonzalez were blowing up for 1 year of 50 HR, guys like Fred McGriff were consistently belting 30 a year. You might give the edge to this team based on pitching alone (Maddux & Mo vs. Clemens & Grimsley).

Manager – Cal Ripken Jr. (BAL)

Ripken makes this list as the manager for a few reasons. First, he had gray hair since he was in his late 20’s, so I’ve always thought of him as an old man. Secondly, he began the steroid era as a decent shortstop, and ended his career a decent third baseman. Lastly, the steroid era was at the end of his career, at which time he was merely an ordinary player. I may take a hit for this, but in terms of being a “spectacular player,” I feel that:

1)      Derek Jeter ranks above him on the list of great shortstops of all-time

2)      Chipper Jones is a better hitting third baseman than him

I feel this way because Ripken had only four seasons of 100+RBI. He had 5 mediocre years from age 25-29, sandwiched in-between two HOF years, followed by 8 of 9 “non” HOF years to close his career. If you look at his year-by-year stats, he wasn’t all that spectacular on a regular basis. I hesitate to throw around the “C” word (COMPILER), but let’s temper our praise of Cal. He’ll make a good manager for this team. He can carry Derek Jeter’s bat bag.

See what I mean? 1990 and he's got gray hair already. Despite my assault on him in the blurb above, he's one of baseball's good guys, and a darn good player.

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C – Jason Varitek (BOS) / Jorge Posada (NYY)

Varitek will likely be an unpopular choice, but I have to spread the wealth. I initially had Mike Piazza (my favorite player growing up) in here, but there is some question about the authenticity of his numbers (which I think is bullcrap). So I’m deciding to play it fair. Also, Jorge Posada is near-and-dear to my heart, so I have to include him (especially with his numbers being what they are). Varitek gets the nod for being in fact – the heart – of his team for so long. Looking at his career numbers, you wouldn’t think he belongs on this team, but if you watched him play through an objective lens, you agree.

These guys had better start getting along, if they're going to share catching duties on Ripken's team. Traditionally, Maddux (see below) uses a personal catcher, which would be more likely to be Varitek than Jorge.

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1B – Fred McGriff (TOR, SD, ATL, TB, CHC)

The Crime Dog was the first player whose name I associated with being a home run threat. My first HR in R.B.I Baseball 3 on Sega Genesis was with Fred McGriff of the Blue Jays. Perhaps the single biggest victim of the steroid era in terms of his stats being devalued… McGriff’s Career Line:

.284 BA

2,490 hits

493 HR

1550 RBI

Including 10 seasons of 30+HR, and 8 seasons of 100+RBI. The problem is, you never saw Fred McGriff and thought “Wow, he’s a dominating power hitter.” How much of that, though, was a function of the All-Juicers being on the scene and muddy-ing the water? Even with all that being considered, I still feel that McGriff should “take a bite out of” the Hall of Fame fruit. (Did you like that one?)

The "Crime Dog" as a young puppy. Knew how to hit the long ball, but apparently not how to wear his hat.

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2B – Craig Biggio (HOU)

Seton Hall’s finest. A unique member of this team (like McGriff) for having played before, during, and after the steroid era. It’s laughable that detractors do not want to place him in the Hall of Fame. The only other 2B  of this era who compare are Roberto Alomar and Jeff Kent. Do I need to say anything about Kent? He could’ve been mentioned in my previous blog. Biggo’s Career Line:

.281 BA

3,060 hits

291 HR

1175 RBI

414 SB

4 gold gloves

Most of this out of the leadoff spot. AND he moved from Catcher to 2B to OF, and then back to 2B. One of the players I most respected as a fan of the game.

Craigy-----ewwww! Biggio was always known for his pine tar-laden helmet, and for laying it on the line. Could be used by Ripken as a utility player (C, IF, OF eligible).

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SS – Derek Jeter (NYY)

Der-ek Je-ter…..I don’t want to beat the horse dead, so you can refer to my previous blog (Jilted by Jeter?) for my feelings on the Yankee captain. 5-time World Champion who will end up with 3500 hits.

Fist pump! Clearly, he was born in New Jersey...And now, he is a member of the hallowed PepeVibe All-Non-Juice team...

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3B – Chipper Jones (ATL)

“The best non-user of the steroid era.” – Timmy George

Chipper was hated by Mets fans (and many others). I can honestly say I couldn’t stand him, but respected the hell out of the way he played. Like Biggio, moved around the field for the good of his team. Not many remember that he came up as a SHORTSTOP prospect. Moved to 3B, to LF, back to 3B, with a little 1B sprinkled in. Another player on this list who is deserving of an immediate Hall of Fame induction upon retirement. Will not get to 3,000 hits, but his career line is still gaudy:

.306BA

436HR

1497RBI

8 straight seasons of 20+HR and 100RBI

Few remember that "Larry" actually came up as a shortstop....I've had many a Met-fan friend brag to me about how they chanted "Larry...Larry...Larry" whenever he came up at Shea. Lot of good that did. Is anything having to do with the Mets dysfunctional? They can't even execute a cheer properly.

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LF – Bernie Williams (NYY)

Gotta have Bernie on this team, and gotta have him in left field because of his arm. A four-time World Series Champion who finished just shy of attaining a Hall of Fame career. Call me a homer, but Bernie deserves to be on this team. Just looking at his career numbers, he’s JUST shy of quite a few milestones.

.297BA

2,336 hits

287HR

1257RBI

Although he’s not a HOFer, there are few players who you’d want up in October more so than Bernie.

Hands down my favorite Bernie picture ever. This was clearly before he went to Drs. Joseph & Jeffrey Dellarusso. 

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CF – Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA, CIN, CWS)

I don’t think that Griffey juiced, but some seem to have. There is no evidence other that people saying “Damn, he hit a lot of home runs.” He got bigger over the course of his career, but never to the point you would say he is “freakish.” He finished about the same size as his father was (who played in the 70’s and 80’s).

No evidence of juicing? What's this guy talking about?

Had undeniably the smoothest left-handed swing of all time. Was there any young baseball fan who did not spend time trying to imitate Griffey’s smooth stroke, followed by softly dropping the bat and walking down the first base line? Hated him, but only because he was so good. Good thing he stayed away from that nerve tonic.

Arguably the smoothest home run stroke of all-time.

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RF – Paul O’Neill (NYY)

Believe it or not, I was not crazy about O’Neill as a Yankee fan. I loved the intensity with which he approached the game. I loved the desire that he had to succeed and win. But, I hated the temper tantrums. I always thought that guys who did that stuff were trying to overcompensate for their failure by showing fans how pissed off they are. It sets a bad example for kids, however you slice it. That being said, the guy was a pure gamer. Similar career statistics to Bernie Williams:

.288BA

281HR

1269RBI

But, along with the other 1996-2000 Yankees on this list, a guy you would want up in a big spot. A guy who cared about winning, and a 4x World Champion.



Threw temper tantrums as it was....but a definite non-juicer. Could you imagine him on a 'roid rage?



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DH – Tony Gwynn (SD)

I was torn on including him, because I always associated him with Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Wade Boggs all of whom retired just a tad early to be on this list. Gwynn, however, played into the 2000’s and was one of the most consistent hitters of all time.  A rare player who was, by any measure, relatively out of shape. He had more of an understanding of the mechanics of hitting than anyone we’ve seen in our generation. Has often said that he “could’ve hit more home runs” if he wanted to, but chose to remain a line drive hitter….to the tune of a .338 lifetime BA and 3100 hits.

Tony Gwynn is a big man....but it wasn't the juice that made him big.

BENCH – Tom Glavine, Barry Larkin, Nomar Garciaparra, Frank Thomas

Frank Thomas is a big human. Not a juicer though. He might have been snubbed not being in the starting lineup. I kind of feel that way as I'm writing this. I could envision another lineup with Thomas at DH, Gwynn in RF, and Bernie/O'Neill platooning in LF.

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SP – Greg Maddux (CHC, ATL, LAD, SD)

In an ERA where the All-Juice team was dominant, Maddux excelled by leaps and bounds. He will clearly be the last pitcher to ever win 350 games. Didn't gas it up all the time, but knew how to pitch and how to nibble on the corners. If you needed someone to give you 7-8 innings and guarantee your team to be in the game, there is nobody else you choose.

Maddux owned the hill in the 90's and 00's.

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  RP – Mariano Rivera (NYY)

Is there even a question he belongs on this team? 185 lbs., 583 saves and counting...



Look at the grip he has on the baseball in his right hand. That's your performance enhancement.



All-Juice Team

The team consists of players who were either known to have used juice, or have been alleged to the point that we all know they have. This blog was in the works from the beginning of this season with the Barry Bonds trial, but became a necessity with the Manny Ramirez debacle. Feel free to comment and let me know who I missed!

Manager: Jose Canseco (OAK, TEX, BOS, TOR, TB, CWS, NYY)

BEFORE: Jose Canseco. Kinda a big dude to begin with.

OK, so the big guy has no managing experience. However, he has the most known juicing experience of anyone. Therefore, he is a natural fit to manage the All-Juice team. He will lead the team with an unparalleled knowledge of PED’s, and is the poster child for MLB juicing. Do you think MLB is sorry for blackballing him?

AFTER: Huge dude. At least he doesn't hide anything. I respect that, I guess.

C Ivan Rodriguez (TEX, FLA, DET, WAS, NYY)

BEFORE: Pudge as a rookie. I'd classify him as "wiry."

Pudge pisses me off. Maybe because I grew up a Piazza fan. Maybe because he was one of the more selfish catchers of all time (receiving the pitch correctly to get a strike < throwing out a runner on a steal). He is one of the few people (along with Roger Clemens, Raul Mondesi, and Andruw Jones) who made me say “Damn, I have to root for him?” when he was traded to the Yankees.  Played his first 5 ½ full seasons with fewer than 20 HR and blew up to 35 HR and 113RBI in his MVP year of 1999. One of the better defensive catchers of all-time without the juice, but one of the best catchers of all time with it. Implicated like crazy in multiple juice reports, but never entirely substantiated.



AFTER: There's only one other way I can think of to get forearms like that....



1B Rafael Palmeiro, (CHC, TEX, BAL, TEX)

BEFORE: Imagine how skinny he'd look WITHOUT the mustache...

One of the poster children for how the juice can help you out. Raffy came up as an above average fourth outfielder with the Chicago Cubs, who was receiving starters at-bats. His last season in Chicago, at age 23…580AB with 8 HR. His first season in Texas, at age 24….559 AB with 8HR. Then, like most players do, at age 30, ripped off 9 consecutive seasons of 30HR and 100RBI. Wagged his finger at Congress, then embarrassed himself with a positive test for a banned substance. One of the substantiated juicers on this list.

AFTER: I mean, I could've put a picture of him looking huge, but this is much better. Nice job man, way to make yourself look like a fool. Most glaring evidence of juicer HOF impact, as he will have 3,000 hits and 500 home runs and NEVER get in.

2B Randy Velarde (NYY, ANA, OAK)

BEFORE: (on left) Youthful, scrappy, Italian

This broke my heart when it came out. When I was younger, I had a blank pinstripe Yankees T-Shirt that I wrote “VELARDE” on in permanent marker, because I loved him so much. He was Italian, scrappy, and a middle infielder for the New York Yankees. And magically, at 35 years old ripped off a .317, 16HR, 76RBI season for the Angels and A’s. Without any help, he’s likely a poor man’s Pat Kelly or Mike Gallego. Has talked candidly about the juice, so he is another substantiated juicer.

AFTER: Jacked. Legit. Not a utility player.

SS Alex Rodriguez (SEA, TEX, NYY)

BEFORE: Juuuuust a little bit lighter... 

Just looking at A-Rod as a 19 year old young buck, you can tell that he’s beefed up. However, he never gave us a “spike” or a “lag” statistically like many of these others. He has hit over 20 home runs in a season from 1996-2010, with his only lower HR totals coming in years plagued by injury. He’s one of these guys (with a few coming later in this blog) who would have been an outstanding player without any help. Tested positive, although results “shouldn’t” have leaked out. A substantiated juicer.

AFTER: Lil' bit heavier...lil' bit

3B Ken Caminiti (HOU, SD, TEX, ATL)

BEFORE: Known more for his defense and decent stick early in his career....

Prior to the strike-shortened 1994 season, Caminiti had only mustered a career high of 13 home runs. He entered that ’94 season at 31 years old and smacked 18 HR. Nobody thought the lesser of it. The following year, shortened by a late start due to the strike, he smacked 26 and became a legit power hitter. The next…NL MVP with 40. Aside from a four year period from 1995-1998, Caminiti never hit more than 18 home runs. Must have really worked out hard from ’95-’98. Oh, by the way, he was 35 years old at the end of that period. Talked candidly about juice….case substantiated.

AFTER: Still good with the glove, but jacked up. Cammy was a pretty good guy who just got caught up in some bad stuff.

LF Barry Bonds (PIT, SF)

BEFORE: Looking like a 50 SB / 100 Runs Scored a year player....

I don’t think this guy juiced…………OK, that was a test to see if you're paying attention. Barry was a speedy leadoff hitter with some pop when he came up in Pittsburgh, who developed into the greatest power hitter of all-time. Known for his media charisma, Bonds ripped off over 10 straight years as the greatest hitter in baseball. Currently going through a juice trial, during which he will be acquitted of perjury. Evidence is circumstantial…But I mean come on, who grows 6 hat sizes in their mid-30’s? Unsubstantiated….I guess.

AFTER: Could make millions if he marketed his strength training program, no?

CF Sammy Sosa (TEX, CWS, CHC, BAL)

BEFORE: What the mustache did for Raffy, it does NOT do for Sammy. Yeish!

Sammy Sosa was fun to watch, but there has never been more of a cheater. If the juice wasn’t enough, he got caught and suspended for using a corked bat when his bat exploded during a game (BB’s everywhere). A notoriously good liar….”I use this bat for BP to give the fans a show” or “I don’t understand English”(at Congress hearing where Raffy wagged his finger)….could not seem to come up with a good lie when he hurt his back sneezing late in his Cubs career (remember that?). Couldn't come up with something better than that, Sammy? Followed the Bonds plan of turning from a speedy leadoff-type into a hulking power hitter. One of the more bloated heads on this list. As of now, no current substantiation to his juicing.

AFTER: Ahhh, no mustache. Much better. Lovable character.....lost human being.

RF Manny Ramirez (CLE, BOS, LAD, CWS, TB)

BEFORE: Holy cow! What a debut this kid had. One of the more revealing "before" pictures.

I watched Manny’s first professional game on WPIX with Scooter and Murcer. He was a skinny, raw, tough kid who could rake. Juice or no juice, Manny was one of the best right handed hitters of his generation. But let’s be honest here, he’s as juiced up as anyone on this list. His first positive test was for a “masker” (I’m gonna try to hide this sh*t), and his second test resulted in his retirement (When you can’t beat your problems…..run in the other direction). See ya’ later, Manny. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Substantiated.

AFTER: Not such a great debut....

DH Mark McGwire (OAK, STL)

BEFORE: Look at that baby face....

Big Mac captured our hearts. I jumped up and down and high-fived one of my friends when he hit #62. I had grown up such a fan of baseball history, that 61 was as hallowed as any number for me. What a sham. This guy finished in a 3-way tie with Palmeiro & Sosa for most embarrassing performance in front of Congress. (“I’m not here to talk about the past…”) A different story here, though, than with many others on this list. McGwire came up as a power hitter, and had fizzled out due to injury at age 29. He had consecutive years of 9HR and 25RBI in ’93 and ’94 before “recapturing the magic” in his 30’s. Big Mac has seemingly accepted his role as a juicer. Substantiated.

AFTER: Whether you're here to talk about the past or not....A camera does not lie!

Bench: Albert Belle, Gary Sheffield, David Ortiz, Jason Giambi, Juan Gonzalez

A quality group of sluggers here, and a couple of standup guys in Belle & Sheffield. Giambi was a substantiated juicer who was clearly helped by the juice, while Ortiz is an unsubstantiated case….But I mean, come on:

SP Roger Clemens (BOS, TOR, NYY)

BEFORE: A lanky, but big right-handed flame-thrower. Occasionally "balks" like a chicken.

He had to juice to avoid “balking” like a chicken for the rest of his life (Simpson’s fans?). Maybe he should’ve gone with Ken Griffey Jr.’s nerve tonic. One of the bigger d*cks on this list, I’m thankful he decided to juice. We would have never heard “Oh my ….Oh my Goodness Gracious, Jawhn…..Rah-jah Clemens is in George Steinbrenner’s box.” Gets the nod over his ex-buddy, Andy Pettitte, due to his sheer failure to admit to juicing. Left Boston after 1996 after 2 consecutive years of mediocrity (10-5, 4.18 ERA and 10-13, 3.63ERA). “Reinvented” himself in Toronto and became a dominant pitcher again. Unsubstantiated, I guess.

AFTER: Juice wasn't the only thing that did him in....

RP Jason Grimsley (PHI, CLE, CAL, NYY, KC, BAL, ARI)

BEFORE: Unless you're a Yankees or Phillies fan, this is probably the first time you've ever seen Jason Grimsley. He was on the '93 Phillies WS team, and on consecutive WS Championship teams as a Yankee reliever.

You gotta have a relief pitcher in the fold, and he is the only one I know of who has admitted to juicing. Was a horsesh*t reliever until he had his best seasons from age 31-36. Most notably is one of the "rats" of the juiceheads. Didn’t set the world on fire with his juice, but won 2 world championships with the Yanks. What would he have been without it? Tanyon Surtze? Substantiated.

AFTER: So, this is probably the second time you've ever seen Jason Grimsley. Looks a little bigger, I guess.



Opening Day

"The Greatest Sports Day of the Year"

Although sometimes plagued by winter-like weather, nothing beats a home opener at Yankee Stadium.

MLB Opening Day is widely considered the “Greatest Sports Day of the Year” by many. There is no opening to a season quite like baseball season. Opening Day is a day in which every team believes it has a shot to make the playoffs. Hopes are high, even for teams who are division “underdogs” going in. These teams are given hope by teams like the 2010 San Diego Padres and the 2010 Cincinnati Reds, both of whom were long shots to win their respective divisions. The Reds in fact won their division, while the Pads led the NL West most of the way before bowing out to the World Series Champion Giants. Case in point: raise your hand if you picked the Giants over the Rangers in the World Series prior to 2010.... 

Nobody picked this hippie to lead the Giants to a World Championship last year.

These are the things that make Opening Day so great. Maybe the Orioles will be this year’s Rangers. Or the Brewers this year’s Reds. Or the Diamondbacks this year’s Padres. Hopes are high all across the country, and there is no high loss total to deter that right now. The start of baseball season each year marks the beginning of Spring weather (OK, don’t look outside right now) and the beginning of thoughts of summer.

Congratulations everyone. You have made it through the lull between football season and baseball season. Special thanks to March Madness for helping to bridge the gap.

To kick off my first baseball season as a blogger, I’d like to make a list of things that I think will happen this year. I was going to call them “Bold Predictions”, but that’s too ESPN-y. So, this is what I came up with… (special thanks to Shift + F7)

Vociferous Vibes

1.  The Kansas City Royals will lose 110 games.

Have you seen their lineup? They have Aviles, Alex Gordon (who, once heralded as the top prospect in baseball, is 7/8ths of the way to being an epic bust). Grienke’s gone, DeJesus is gone, and they are running out there a team of absolute unknowns. No, they will NOT be this year’s San Diego Padres. Explain to me how they are going to win games. Then, explain to me how they are going to draw fans.

In Aviles we trust? Yeish!

2.  The Baltimore Orioles will win 82+ games.

That’s right, for the first time since 1997, the Orioles will finish above .500. They don’t have the pitching to win the division, or even the Wild Card, but I think they have a shot to leapfrog Tampa Bay and Toronto in the AL East and finish 3^rd.

Vlad and the O's are going to be looking to stir the AL East pot some this year.

3. The Atlanta Braves will win the NL East, but the Philadelphia Phillies will win the NL pennant.

Atlanta has a very solid team. A better 162-game team (top-to-bottom) than any other team in that division. However, any team in the NL will have a hard time getting past the Phillies starters. Teams will not even be able to say “That’s OK, we’ll just be patient and wait until we get a shot at their bullpen.” Three of these guys (Halladay, Lee, and Oswalt) are good for 8-9 innings every start. Good luck beating the Phightin’ Phils in a series.

Lee, Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels in a playoff series with no DH? Good luck NL.

4. The New York Yankees will acquire Felix Hernandez.

It’s going to get done. The Mariners still covet a catching prospect (as they did last year in Cliff Lee talks), and the Yanks are rich there. The teams will hammer out a pre-deadline deal with the Yanks sending 4 prospects to Seattle (See ya’, Montero).

By mid-season we'll be hearing ..."Ohhh....oh my goodness gracious Jawhn"...."You said it Suzyn...it's another silenced bat, by Felix the Cat!" (FYI, I'm claiming ownership of that if he ever uses it ... google "Felix the Cat" and you'll appreciate the phrase)

5. Seattle’s Justin Smoak (the centerpiece of the Cliff Lee-to-Texas deal) will hit 25+ HRs this year.

Smoak was a minor disappointment as a rookie in Texas last year (.209, 8HR, 34RBI), before being traded and becoming a minor disappointment in Seatlle (.239, 5HR, 14RBI). Smoak has power and is considered to be a potential 35+HR player. He’ll make his move this year.

Two years from now, the M's will look like geniuses for acquiring one of the most prolific power-hitting prospects in baseball during a losing season, for a pitcher who wasn't going to stay in Seattle. Smoak is on my radar and he should be on yours.

6. Curtis Granderson will hit 35+HRs this year.

You read that right. He’s going deep 35 times. He dropped 30 in Comerica in 2009, and Yankee Stadium is tailor-made for his left-handed power swing. He got off to a good start yesterday, hitting a HR off a LEFTY.

Yup. 35 times you will see this.

7. The New York Mets will trade Jose Reyes AND Carlos Beltran.

The Mets are making a push to start anew, and Reyes’ antics are growing old with a lot of people. Alderson and Collins are not the “gangsta” that Jerry Manuel was, so he no longer has much of an audience. He’ll get hurt at some point which may hurt his trade value, but the Mets better unload him. They’d be stupid to give him a long term contract, especially since they are scarred by the frequent injuries of high-priced free agents. Beltran's time in New York is up, he's not re-signing with them, and they aren't going to contend. Might as well get what they can for him while they can.

It's gettin' old guys, especially when wins aren't being delivered. See ya guys!

8. The Boston Red Sox will have the highest starting rotation ERA in the AL East.

The Sawx have Lester and Buchholz which will keep it down, but Lackey, Beckett, and Daisuke have the potential to all post ERA’s north of 4.50. The Sox will still win plenty of games and grab the AL Wild Card, but they will do it behind Pedroia, Youk, Crawford, and “Yo’ Adrian”…

Wearing a red glove? It's got "tool" written all over it. Especially when you can't find the strike zone. Especially when they paid over $100 million for you. The last Red Sox pitcher to wear a red glove "called the Yankees his daddy."

9. The Boston Red Sox will have the lowest bullpen ERA in the MLB.

The Yanks and Sox likely have the best 2 bullpens in baseball. Both have current/former All-Star closers in their 8^th and 9^th inning roles. Just think the Sox are a bit deeper with Papelbon, Jenks, Bard, and Wakefield as the long man versus Rivera, Soriano, Joba, and Colon.   

Let's be honest, Bobby Jenks is a fat mess. But he has been a dominant closer and will be an above-average 7th/8th inning guy.  

10. Adam Dunn will lead the AL in HR’s, and the White Sox will win the AL Central.

The Sox have a formidable power lineup with Quentin, Konerko, and Dunn. They have some young arms (especially in their bullpen) that are unproven, but they can navigate a division riddled with inconsistent teams. Expect the Twins to finish a close 2^nd, with the Tigers finishing 3^rd, approximately 10 games back.

"Adam Dunn.....hit the F*&$% ball into the stands...I'm not F*&%$ joking....You cross me, I ship your F%&*# ass back to Washington" I think Dunn will oblige. Possibly to the tune of 50+ dingers.